USA > Wisconsin > Wisconsin, its story and biography, 1848-1913, Volume V > Part 2
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of his life, but in his latter years became a Republican. He was always interested in anything that affected his adopted city in any way, assisted other earnest and hard-working men in promulgating and forwarding movements for the benefit of the community, and for some years served as alderman of the Third Ward. His death lost the city one of its best and most public-spirited citizens. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, of whom the following survive : John J., George, William, Ida, Fred and Gust.
In 1909 the firm of B. Ott & Sons was reorganized and incorporated, although the original name was retained, the officers at this time being : George Ott, president; John J. Ott, vice president; Fred Ott, secretary ; and Gust Ott, treasurer. The firm manufactures all kinds of machinery and parts, and also maintains a department for the repairing of machin- ery, and the trade has extended over a wide territory.
George Ott attended the public schools until reaching his eighteenth year, at which time he entered the molding establishment of John James & Company, in whose employ he continued several years. His next con- nection was with a La Crosse milling concern, and he was so engaged until becoming connected with the firm of B. Ott & Sons, the manage- ment of which now receives the greater part of his attention. Mr. Ott is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Fraternal Reserve Association. He holds membership also in the Governors Guard Association, having served as first lieutenant of Company B, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard for nineteen years. When he can lay aside the multitudinous cares of business life, he takes his family on a fishing excursion to French Island, on the Mississippi river, and seldom returns without some excellent trophies which have fallen to his skill with the rod.
On February 12, 1885, Mr. Ott was married at La Crosse to Miss Louisa Thoolens, and they had four children, all of whom died in infancy.
BENJAMIN C. WILLSON. About thirty years ago the two Willson brothers were running a drug store at Edgerton, Wisconsin, carrying' the usual stock of goods to be found in a store of that kind. Both the proprietors were young men possessed of the spirit of twentieth century enterprise and were constantly alert for opportunities and methods which would broaden and establish their business on a distinctive scale. Out of that prescription drug store, bought by Benjamin C. and Dexter I. Willson, in 1882, has been developed through their united efforts, one of the important manufacturing concerns of Edgerton known as the Willson Bros. Monarch Laboratory, of which Benjamin C. Willson is now the sole proprietor. The manufacturing and general business of the company are now conducted in a large factory and office building,
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and the Monarch Laboratory's varied lines of pharmaceutical prepara- tions is now distributed in nearly every state of the union. The pro- ducts have a national reputation and demand, and have travelling and local representatives in a majority of the states.
Benjamin C. Willson, who has shown remarkable energy and capac- ity for business, was born at Newton, New Jersey, on September 7, 1862, a son of Samuel I. and Arabelle (Roe) Willson, both natives of New Jersey. His mother was descended from one of the old American families of Mayflower ancestry. His father having died in the east, . Benjamin Willson and his brother Dexter I. came west with their mother in 1876, loeating first at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. From there they removed to Edgerton in Rock county. In 1878 Benjamin C. Willson became a clerk in the drug store of M. Croft, at Edgerton, and that was his first experience in the line along which his enterprise has subsequently developed. After becoming a clerk he studied phar- macy, passed the State Pharmaceutical Board examination in 1882 at the age of twenty, and then he and his brother bought the store from Mr. Croft, and began business under the firm name of Willson Bros. In 1910 Dexter I. Willson died, and Benjamin bought his interest from the estate, though the business is still conducted under the old name of Willson Bros.
At the present time the Monarch Laboratory, evolved from the small drug business of 1882, is one of the largest organizations of its kind in Wisconsin. Its special lines of manufacture are the Monarch Remedies, pure flavoring extracts and the ground spices, perfumes, soaps, toilet articles, and a complete line of veterinary remedies. Every product of the Monarch laboratory is manufactured with special care, and goes to the trade with reputation of Willson Brothers behind it.
Benjamin C. Willson is a member of the State Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation, and has fraternal membership with Edgerton Lodge No. 69, A. F. & A. M., is a charter member of the Edgerton Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America ; in polities is a Democrat, and his church home is the Congregational. In 1882 he married Miss Matia Rogers, of Milton Junction, Wisconsin. At her death in 1899 she left three ehil- dren : R. Earl, who died at the age of thirteen; Mabel, wife of Dr. A. T. Shearer, of Edgerton ; and Madge, who lives at home. Mr. Will- son's present wife was Miss Edith Conrad, of Algona, Iowa.
JOSEPH DILLON. A veteran of the Spanish-American war with the Wisconsin Troops, Joseph Dillon is well known in the city of Raeine, where he is a newspaper man and engaged in the printing business.
He was born in Mt. Pleasant, Racine county, August 8, 1876, a son of Chester E. and Emma (De Groat) Dillon. His parents were both born in New York State, and his father was for many years one of the
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substantial farmers in Racine county. It was on the old farm that Joseph Dillon grew up, had his education in the local schools, and about. thirteen years ago moved with the family to the city of Racine. After leaving school Mr. Dillon found employment with the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railroad, and was for about three years in railway service. At the beginning of the Spanish-American War he was given a commission as first lieutenant in the First Wisconsin Volunteers, and made a record as a soldier of which he may well be proud. After the war he took up newspaper work and was identified with that profession for five years. He then established a printing office in Racine, and now' conducts a first-class establishment, with facilities for all kinds of work, and with a large and prosperous business. Mr. Dillon is a member of the Methodist church, is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Spanish-American War Veterans.
TERRENCE MICKONE. One of the best known citizens of Oshkosh was the late Terrence McKone, whose death occurred October 24, 1911, at the age of fifty-four. His home had been in Oshkosh for forty-five years, and from a beginning in comparative poverty and obscurity he had advanced to important official responsibilities in the community, and was also successful as a business man. He had a host of friends and acquaintances in and about Oshkosh and his loss was regarded as that of a leading citizen.
Terrence MeKone was born in county Cavan, Ireland, March 17, 1857. When ten years old he came to America and lived in Oshkosh the rest of his life. He early found employment at the Sawyer Sawmill, now a part of the Paine Lumber Company's plant, and while at work earning his living was also attending school in the W. W. Daggit Business College. On April 14, 1876, the college granted him a diploma of proficiency as a single and double entry bookkeeper. His work soon led him into the grocery trade, and after following out his interests in that line he was employed for six years as a mail carrier, and in that work became familiarly known to a greater portion of the people of Oshkosh. For a number of years Mr. McKone was identified with the real estate business in Oshkosh, and in 1890 was first elected to the office of Alderman from the Fifth ward. He continued as an able member of the common council for seven years, and also held the office of constable. Governor George W. Peck subsequently appointed Mr. McKone state deputy treasury agent, with Winnebago county as his district, and he continued to hold that office under the administrations of Governors M. LaFollette and James O. Davidson, resigning in 1910 on account of his poor health.
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Mr. McKone's home at the time of his death was at 675 Algoma street. On September 14, 1887, he married in Germantown, Wisconsin, Miss Mary Trenwith, a daughter of Henry Trenwith, who came from county Cork, Ireland, and settled on a farm in Wisconsin where he spent the remainder of his life. Surviving the late Terrence McKone are his widow and three sons, as follows: James H. MeKone, a member of the Oshkosh Fire department; Leo J. MeKone, who is now in the coal and wood business; and Francis T. MeKone, connected with the Paine Lumber Company of Oshkosh.
ALFRED L. CARY. Prominent among those who have left definite and worthy impress upon the history of jurisprudence in Wisconsin and who have long held high prestige at the bar of this state stands the well known and honored citizen and veteran lawyer whose name initiates this para- graph and who is still engaged in the active practice of his profession in the city of Milwaukee, where he is the senior member of the representa- tive and distinguished law firm of Cary, Upham & Black. Mr. Cary is not only a man of high intellectual and professional attainments, with a record of admirable achievement in his chosen vocation, but he has also stood exponent of the most loyal and liberal citizenship and has so guided and governed his life as to merit and receive the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow men. Concerning the family history further data appear in the memoir dedicated to his revered unele, the late John W. Cary, on other pages of this publication, and it may be stated in a preliminary way that he was intimately associated with his uncle, who was one of the foremost of the representatives of the Wisconsin bar in the pioneer days and up to the time of his death.
Alfred L. Cary is a scion of families that were founded in New England, that cradle of much of our national history, in the colonial days, and he himself claims the fine old Empire state of the Union as the place of his nativity. He was born at Sterling, Cayuga county, New York, on the 23d of July, 1835, and is a son of Nathaniel C. and Sophia (Eaton) Cary, the former a native of Shoreham, Addison county, Vermont, and the latter of Mansfield. Tolland county. Connecticut. The parents came to Wisconsin in 1879 and here passed the residue of their lives-folk of sterling character and high ideals. The father was a wagonmaker by trade and he followed this vocation during the greater part of his active career, though he lived virtually retired after his re- moval to Wisconsin, both he and his wife having passed the closing period of their long and useful lives in the city of Raeine.
In his native town Alfred L. Cary acquired his preliminary educa- tional discipline, which was effectively supplemented by the pursuance of higher academie studies in an academy at Auburn, New York, and a seminary at Fulton, that state. He came to Wisconsin in 1853 alone, and
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in this state he had the privilege of continuing his educational work in the high school at Racine, the principal of the same at that time having been Professor John G. McMyun, who was one of the distinguished and honored educators of Wisconsin and who served at one time as state superintendent of schools.
In May, 1858, shortly before attaining his twenty-third birthday an- niversary, Mr. Cary initiated the work of preparing himself for the profession in which he was destined to gain much of precedence and distinction. At Racine he entered the law offices of his uncle, John W. Cary, under whose able and earnest preceptorship he continued his tech- nical studies until he proved himself eligible for and was admitted to the bar of the state, upon examination before a committee appointed by the circuit court of Milwaukee county. Early in January of the preced- ing year he had accompanied- his uncle on the latter's removal to Mil- waukee, where the uncle became senior member of the law firm of Cary & Pratt. In the office of this strong and popular firm Alfred L. Cary held a clerical position until 1864, and in the meanwhile he gained practical and valuable experience. In the year last mentioned the original part- nership was dissolved and an alliance was formed between John W. and Alfred L. Cary, Jed P. C. Cottrill having later been admitted to the firm, the large and important business of which was thereafter con- ducted under the title of Carys & Cottrill until 1874, when John W. Cary, the senior member, withdrew to become general solicitor for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. The two remaining principals of the firm continued their association, under the name of Cottrill & Cary, until 1879, and in the meanwhile Alfred L. Cary, of this review, assumed the position of general solicitor for the Mil- waukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company, an incumbency which he retained until the company's line and business were sold to the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company in 1893. Mr. Cary handled the legal affairs of the railroad with utmost discrimination and success and in this and other connections appeared in many important litiga- tions, through the medium of which his professional reputation was signally furthered.
In August, 1893, Judge Jenkins, of the United States circuit court for the eastern district, appointed Mr. Cary special master on the litigation pending in that court for the foreclosure of the mortgages given by the Northern Pacific Railway Company. The suit thus brought was the primary case of the series of auxiliary suits that were brought in other states and covering the entire length of the line of the Northern Pacific. The mortgages had been given by this railroad company to the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company of New York city. There were three mortgages involved in the initial proceedings with which Mr. Cary was identified, and Thomas F. Oakes, Henry C. Payne and Henry C. Rouse were ap- pointed receivers for the Northern Pacific Company. Mr. Cary's duties
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in this connection appertained specially to the passing of the accounts of the receivers and to the hearing of various claims and litigations which were referred to him by the court. The mortgages involved aggregated many millions of dollars, and the judgment for deficiencies as allowed by Mr. Cary amounted to over $100,000,000. He eventually effected the sale of Northern Pacific railway and land grants, under the pro- visions of the decree entered by the court, and the Northern Pacific Rail- way Company of the present time holds its title through the deed given by Mr. Cary as special master in connection with the litigations that had taken place.
In the special service which he had thus performed Mr. Cary had incidentally gained prestige as one of the most versatile and resourceful members of the Wisconsin bar, with a reputation that was of national order. In 1894 he formed a professional partnership with John B. Fish, and in 1897 Horace A. J. Upham and William Edward Black were ad- mitted to the firm. This noteworthy alliance continued until the death of Mr. Fish, in August, 1900, since which time the important and repre- sentative law business has been condueted under the firm name of Cary, Upham & Black, all three principals in this well known firm being in- dividually represented in this publication. The personnel of the firm has made it one of the foremost of the kind in the middle west, and its men- bers exemplify the highest ethics and ideals of the profession which they have dignified and honored.
Though subordinating all else to the demands of his exacting pro- fession, Mr. Cary is essentially broadminded, progressive and publie- spirited in his eivie attitude, and, as may well be inferred, he has at all times been found thoroughly fortified in his convictions and opinions concerning matters of economic and governmental polity. IIe continued to support the cause of the Democratie party until the first nomination of Bryan for the presideney, when his sincere convietions impelled him to transfer his allegiance to the Republican party, with which he has since continued to be identified. In 1872 he served as a member of the common council of Milwaukee, and in the following year he was given further manifestation of popular confidence and esteem, in that he was elected to represent Milwaukee county in the state legislature, in which he proved a most loyal and valued member of the assembly or lower house. Mr. Cary is affiliated with the Masonie fraternity and is a charter member of the Milwaukee Club, of which representative or- ganization he served as president for six years. He is also identified with the Milwaukee Country Club and the Fox Point Club, and in the city and state that have represented his home from his youth to the present his circle of friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances. He is one of the venerable and distinguished members of the Wiseon- sin bar.
On the 6th of September, 1864, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Vol. V-2
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Cary to Miss Harriet M. Van Slyck, daughter of Jesse M. and Nancy (McHinch) Van Slyek, who were honored pioneers of Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Cary have four children : Robert J., Walter, Harriet S. and Irving B.
THEOBALD OTJEN's twelve years of service in Congress made him well known, both in State and National affairs; Milwaukeeans,-his neighbors-have always known and respected him for his kindliness, honesty and ability, and his willing and untiring efforts for the bet- terment of their city. The history of his life is a list of successful accomplishments for the public good. His has been the type of citizen- ship which never hesitates to sacrifice private interests for the general welfare, and whether in local civic work, or as a member of Congress, Mr. Otjen has always shown a true devotion and loyalty to all that would result in the public good.
Theobald Otjen was born in West China, St. Claire county, Mich- igan, on October 27th, 1851, and is the son of John C. and Dorothea (Schreiner) Otjen. Both parents were born in Germany. John C. Otjen eame to the United States in 1827, located first in Baltimore, Maryland, then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and still later to Michigan. In Balti- more and in Cincinnati the father followed his trade as cabinet maker, an art which he had thoroughly mastered in his native land. In Mich- igan his career was devoted to farming, and he spent his remaining days in that vocation.
Theobald Otjen was educated in the Marine City Academy, located at Marine City, Michigan, and at a private school in Detroit, Michigan, conducted by Prof. P. M. Patterson. In 1870 Mr. Otjen came to Mil- waukee, being then nineteen years of age. While here he worked as a foreman in the Rolling Mills. In 1872 he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in the class of 1875, and received the degree of LL. B. The first two years of his praetiee were spent in the City of Detroit, as a member of the firm of Otjen and Rabeaut. Then in 1883 he came to Bay View, now a portion of the City of Milwaukee, which city has since been his home. At Bay View he commenced the practice of law, and in connection therewith conducted a real estate and insurance business. The business thus started has successfully continued since that date until the present time, and is now conducted by Mr. Otjen and his elder son under the firm name of Otjen & Otjen.
From 1885 to 1887 Mr. Otjen was attorney for the Village of Bay View. He was village attorney for South Milwaukee when that muniei- pality was first organized. In 1887 he was elected member of the Com- mon Council of the City of Milwaukee, and served seven years as such member. His work there was of a kind that leaves a definite impression
Theo. Oljen
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on the city's history, as is illustrated by his work in connection with the City Park System and the Library-Museum building.
While in the Council as Chairman of the Committee on Legislation, Mr. Otjen secured the passage of the present Milwaukee Park Law. Under that law was created the Park Board with the subsequent estab- lishment of Milwaukee's splendid system of parks, and under the pro- visions of that law have been created Lake, Riverside, Mitchell, Kosei- usko, Humboldt, and the other beautiful Milwaukee parks.
As a trustee of the Public Library and Museum from 1887 to 1904, he was a member of the committee that selected the plans for the new library building. As Chairman of the Committee on Legislation of the Common Council, he seenred the passage of an act by the Legislature authorizing the issuance of bonds for the erection of the new library building. Thus much credit is due to Mr. Otjen for Milwaukee's beauti- ful library.
His larger political career began in 1892, when he was nominated by the Republican Party for Congress by acelamation. He was de- feated by Hon. J. L. Mitchell, later senator, the chief cause of his defeat being due to the agitation over the "Bennett Law," as a result of which a large number of foreign votes were transferred to the Democratic side. However, in 1894 Mr. Otjen was elected and continued to serve this State in the National Congress for twelve consecutive years, as a member of the Fifty-fourth, Fifty-fifth, Fifty-sixth, Fifty-seventh, Fif- ty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses. His successful industry in Con- gress brought much to Milwaukee. The Harbor of Refuge. the Light House Supply Station and government aid to the Inner-Harbor Improve- ments indicate the nature of the advantages Mr. Otjen secured for Mil- waukee. During his term in office he secured more money for improve- ments in Milwaukee than any other representative from that City in the National Congress. While in Congress he was appointed a member of the Industrial Commission by Speaker Reed.
Since retiring from Congress Mr. Otjen followed his profession as a lawyer, acted as director of the German American Bank, and has over- seen the management of many large estates and real estate undertakings, but although mueh engrossed in his work, he has been liberal to the public of his time, energy and ability. For the passed four years he has been president of the South Division Civic Association, the most important organization of its kind, not only on the South Side, but of the entire city. Its active membership now comprises nearly six hun- dred. Through its effective and systematie organization, it has aecom- plished more substantial good for the city than any other civie body. The Association has already a large record of practical performances, and in no small degree must credit be given to its president for them.
Mr. Otjen's election on March 9, 1913, to the office of president of the South Side Realty Company was in recognition of his long association
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with real estate matters and general business in the southern section of the city.
In fraternal affairs Mr. Otjen is affiliated with the various bodies in Masonry, including Lake Lodge No. 189 F. and A. M., and Ivanhoe Com- mandery, Knights Templar. At the present time the home of the Lake Lodge is one of the finest structures of its kind in the State, having cost twenty-eight thousand dollars to complete. In the efforts and vigorous campaign necessary to raise the funds for the erection of this building, Mr. Otjen was a leader, and much credit is due him for the successful outcome of the enterprise. He is also affiliated with the Royal Arcanum, and supports among the churches, the Methodist. For some years he has been trustee of Lawrence College, Appleton, Wisconsin.
On March 12th, 1879, Mr. Otjen married Miss Louise E. Heames, daughter of Henry and Anna Matilda (Carpenter) Heames of Detroit, Michigan. Their four children are: Henry H., Grave V., Fanny H., and Christian John.
JOHH B. HEIM. In' the election of John B. Heim to the office of mayor in 1912, the citizens of Madison honored a man whose record for more than thirty years has been distinguished for a high degree of public service and efficiency both in office and in private business. A resident of this city for fifty-five years, he has witnessed and has been an important factor in its upbuilding and the years of his life have been marked by success and influence.
Mr. Heim was born in Rochester, New York, July 15, 1848. His parents were Conrad and Anastasia (Ant) Heim. Both natives of Ger- many, the father was born at Unterleichtersbach, Bavaria, November 1, 1821, and died in Madison, November 11, 1900, and the mother was born at Heinsell, Hessia, September 23, 1822, and died May 27, 1865. They were married at Rochester, New York, and of their ten children, eight sons and two daughters, three sons and one daughter survive, John B. being the eldest.
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